Black Cats missing touch of class

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy admitted his side lacked the quality required to overcome Gillingham after being held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats had the chance to bounce back from their New Year’s Day defeat at Preston and move into second place with a win.

But despite fielding an adventurous three-pronged attack, Sunderland failed to overcome Stan Ternent’s battling side.

Darius Henderson put Gillingham ahead before Chris Brown levelled, but it was the lowly visitors who came closest to victory through former Sunderland striker Darren Byfield.

McCarthy’s side, who were booed off the pitch at the final whistle, have now taken just four points from their last four matches and saw captain Gary Breen join the injury list.

McCarthy admitted: “I think Darren Byfield might think he should have won the game for them. What I can’t fault the lads for is effort. Perhaps it’s misguided, misdirected endeavour and we leave ourselves open at times.

“But the effort they have put it in was terrific. What we lacked today was quality. It became frustrating, with passes going astray and it wasn’t a good performance.

“As a team we haven’t defended as well as we have been and have let too many goals in. Now we have got to get back on the crest of wave that we were previously on.”

Gillingham boss Stan Ternent, ironically a boyhood Sunderland fan, heaped praise on his players after they secured a precious point in their battle against relegation.

The Gills remain rooted in the bottom three but could have taken all three points if Byfield had connected properly with Matthew Jarvis’ cross.

“I think that might have been somewhat unfair and I think a draw was a fair result,” Ternent said.

“We defended well and deserved a point and if Darren keeps getting in there like that, sooner or later he will put them in. Since I’ve been at the club, the players’ endeavour and commitment has been absolutely first class, so I’ve got no complaints.

“With the injuries we have at the moment, this is a satisfactory result. With eight more wins I would be delighted if that kept us up – and I would also be happy if Sunderland get promoted.”

Ternent also urged Sunderland supporters to keep faith with McCarthy and his players.

He said: “I know Sunderland very well, having been here as a player and worked here some time ago.

“The expectation levels are extremely high, the fans know their football and if you’re not top of the league and getting promotion, then it’s a problem.

“It’s never an easy place to play, it’s the big stage, but I think they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

“So, as a Sunderland supporter, sometimes it’s difficult, but I would encourage them to stick by Mick and the lads because that’s what they need.

“It (booing) goes with the territory and is born out of frustration and goes on at a lot of clubs. When Gillingham come up here, they would expect to beat them because that is the perception.

“But sometimes it doesn’t always work out like that because the league is quite close and anyone can beat anyone else on any given day.”